A soldier and a Dutch nurse

Today, two residents at Menno Place celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Netherlands from German occupation during the second world war. Gera, a 20 year old at the time thanked her dear friend (and liberator), Bruce, a Canadian soldier who fought to liberate Netherlands from German occupation. More than 7,600 Canadians died in the nine dreadful months it took to liberate the Netherlands. Gera, age 20 on May 5, 1945, will never forget the day that they were free. Hungry, war-tired and filled with gratitude, they celebrated with tears and joy. Bruce walked through the streets of the Netherlands sharing smiles and gratitude from the dutch people. One woman was out on her patio putting laundry on the line. She smiled from ear to ear at Bruce. I’ll never forget how that felt, he says. It was the best feeling in the world.

Bruce shows us his medals of service – from France, Canada and the UK. Along with his service medals, he shares a “Thank You Canada” medal that he received in 1945. Brought together in their home at Menno Place, Bruce and Gera share memories and gratitude. Gera can’t believe that it is almost the 70 year anniversary of a day that forever changed her life. She affectionately smiles at Bruce – grateful that, at 98 years old, he is here to thank.